Founded in the early 1400s, the University of St Andrews is globally renowned and was recently ranked as the UK’s top university. It occupies around 150 separate buildings in and around the town of Fife, Scotland. Home to the St Andrews Prize for the Environment, it has many teams and departments that have won awards for sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental action.
The University’s vision is to be net zero by 2035. St Andrews will take out all avoidable greenhouse gases it releases into the atmosphere and compensate for emissions that are unavoidable. The university has a dedicated Environment Team, its own biomass power plant, and a socially responsible investment policy
To replace multiple different standalone access control technologies which had been installed at student halls at different times over the years, university accommodation managers sought a more suitable solution.
Requirements for the university’s new access control system included:
● An energy-efficient access solution to match the university’s sustainability ethos.
● Electronic locks would integrate fully with both the university’s central system and their student ID card.
● The ability to manage and control the entire system, including doors in multiple buildings, from a single point and in real-time.
The university has installed Aperio wireless locks on around 1,693 student bedrooms. St Andrews takes its environmental footprint very seriously: These battery-powered, wire-free electronic locks are a natural fit for their accommodation. The entire Halls of Residence estate will run Aperio.
The locking devices offer significant energy efficiency benefits. Locks are wireless, so can be installed with little energy use and no need for a wired connection to mains electricity.
Energy efficiency
They consume zero energy when idle and run on standard batteries, consuming little power in operation. Maintenance involves a change of battery every two years (approx.), nothing more. Through an entire life cycle, Aperio combines energy efficiency with cost-effectiveness.
Streamlined process
Online central management has improved access for all building users. Student ID is combined with a room entry credential, which saves issuing two cards. Staff and maintenance teams can have access rights issued or changed with a couple of clicks in the management system. The whole experience is streamlined.
Install without drilling
Upgrading a door with an Aperio wireless cylinder or escutcheon is simple, with no drilling or door hardware alterations required. Installers do not have to make multiple return journeys.
Cut energy consumption
Unlike traditional wired electronic locks, Aperio does not need a permanent, energy-hungry connection to mains electricity. A long-lasting standard battery powers all lock electronics.
Environmentally conscious manufacturing
ASSA ABLOY is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and helping mitigate climate change to meet the needs of future generations. “Aperio interfaces with our central access control system, which gives us central management and control. We get 24/7 monitoring and reporting when required,” said Pauline Brown, Associate Chief Information Officer at the University of St Andrews.
